Monday, November 17, 2008

THEERTHAMS IN RAMESHWARAM

The Theerthams of the Temple inside the Corridor and their significance
1.Mahalakshmi Theertham:
Location: South of the Hanuman Temple.
significance: Dharmarajan bathed here and got riched.
2.Savithri Theertham:
Location: West of the hanuman Temple.
significance: King Kasaibar got rid of his curse.
3.Gayathri Theertham:
Location: West of the Hanuman Temple
significance: King Kasibar got rid of his curse.
4.Saraswathi Theertham:
Location: West of the Hanuman Temple
significance: King Kasibar got rid of his curse.
5.Sethu madhava Theertham:
Location: The Tank at the third corridor
significance: One will get lakshmi’s blessings and purification of heart.
6.Gandhamadana Theertham:
Location: In the area of the Sethumadhava Temple
Significance: One will get riches and their sins will be absolved after getting rid of their penury.
7.kavatcha Theertham:
Location: In the area of the Sethumadhava Temple
significance: One will not go to hell.
8.Gavaya Theertham:
Location: In the area of the Sethumadhava Temple.
significance: Shelter under karpaga Virutchaga Tree.
9.Nala Theertham:
Location: In the area of the Sethumadhava Temple.
significance: One will get Soorya Thejas and reach Heaven.
10. Neela Theertham:
Location: In the area of the Sethumadhava Temple
significance: One will get the benefit of Samastha(entire) yaga and receive Agni Yoga.
11.Sanku Theertham:
Location: In the inner corridor of the Temple.
significance: Vathsanaba, the Sage, got rid of his sin of ingratitude.
12.Sakkara Theertham:
Location: In the inner corridor of the Temple.
significance: The Sun got His hand turned golden.
13.Brahmahathi Vimochana Theertham:
Location: In the inner corridor of the Temple.
Significance: Brahamahathi was absolved of his sins.
14. Sooriya Theertham:
Location: In the inner corridor of the Temple.
significance: One will get the knowledge of the past present and the future and reach the worlds they want.
15. Chandra Theertham:
Location: In the inner corridor of the Temple.
significance: One will get the knowledge of the past present and the future and reach the worlds they want.
16.GANGA Teertham:
Location: In the inner corridor of the Temple.
significance: Gananasuruthi Rajah attained wisdom.
17.Yamuna Theertham:
Location: In the inner corridor of the Temple.
significance: Gananasuruthi Rajah attained wisdom.
18.Gaya Theertham:
Location: In the inner corridor of the Temple
significance: Gananasuruthi Rajah attained wishdom
19.Siva Theertham:
Location: South of nandi Deva in the Temple
significance: Completion of Bhaira Brahmahathi
20.Sadyamirtha Theertham:
Location: In the Amman Sannathi
significance: Emperor Bururoonu got rid of his curse.
21.Sarva Theertham:
Location: In front of Lord Ramanatha’s sannathi
significance: Sutharishna got rid of his blindness(from birth), illness and old age and then he prospered.
22.Kodi Theertham:
Location: In the first corridor of the Temple.
significance: Sri Krishna got rid of his Sin of killing his Uncle, kamsan.
THE THEERTHAMS OUTSIDE THE TEMPLE, THEIR LOCATION AND THEIR SIGNIFICANCE.
1.Vedhala Varatham Theertham:
Location: South of Mandapam.
significance: Sudharisanan got rid of his curse.
2.Papa Vinasa Theertham:
Location: south of Mandapam.
significance: Brahamana and Sudra, who committed heinous sins got expiated and attained Heaven.
3. Bhairava Theertham:
Location: In Pamban
Significance: Relief from Brahmahathi Dhosham.
4.kabhi Theertham:
Location: In Pamban
significance: Aramba got rid of curse.
5.Seetha Kundam:
Location: North of Thangachimadam
significance: Indra got rid of Brahamahathi
6.Mangala Theertham:
Location: North of Thangachimadam
Significance: King Manojava got his Kingdom
7.Amirtha Valli Theertham:
Location: In Sri Ekanda Ramaswamy Temple
significance: Agasthiya’s brother attained heaven Sarva abhishta Siddhi).
8.RANA Vimosana Theertham:
Location: North of Sri Ekanda Ramaswamy temple.
significance: Relief from all debts.
9.Lakshmana Theertham:
Location: On the Rameshwaram – Pamban Road
significance: Balaraman got rid of Brahmahathi
10.Rama Theertham:
Location: On the Rameshwaram – Pamban Road
significance: Dharmarajan got rid of his Sin of telling a lie.
11. Seetha Theertham:
Location: On the rameshwaram – pamban Road
significance: Dharmarajan Got rid of his Sin telling a lie
12.Sukreeva Theertham
Location: On the way to Ganthamathana Parvatham
significance: One will get complete wisdom and attain Soorya Loka.
13.Angatha Theertham:
Location: On the way to Ganthamathana Parvatham
significance: Attaining the position of Devendra.
14.Jambava Theertham:
Location: On the way to Ganthamathana Parvatham.
significance: Longevity of life.
15. Gandhamadhana Theertham:
Location: On the way to Gandhamadhana Parvatham
significance: Reaching Vaikunda. (16-20) Panja Pandava Theertham.
16.Dharma Theertham
17.Bhima Theertham
18.Arjuna Theertham
19.Nahula Theertham
20.Sahadeva Theertham:
significance: Ishtartha Siddi. Getting the things we want.
21.Dhroupathi Theertham:
Location: Near Sri Bhadrakali Temple
significance: Ladies will get long life with the love of their spouses.
22.Brahma Theertham:
Location: Near Sri Bhadrakali Temple
significance: Bramadevi got rid of his curse.
23.hanuma Gunda Theertham
Location: near Sri Bhadrakali Temple.
significance: King Dharma Saga got a son.
24.Naga Theertham:
Location: North-East of the Temple at the Devasthana madam.
significance: Those, who bathe in this along with all other Theerthams including the Ganga Theertham will attain heaven.
25.Agasthiya Theertham:
Location: North East of the Temple
significance: Katchivan got Manoramai.
26. Jadayu Theertham:
Location: On the way to Dhanuskodi
significance: Pirugu, Dhathathreya, Dhurvasa and Suga got purity of heart.
27.Dhanushkodi Theertham:
Location: The sea in Dhanuskodi(Confluence of the Rivers Rathnaharam and Mahodathi).
significance: a)Asuvathaman got rid of his sin of killing those who were sleeping. b) Dharma Gupta got rid of his insanity. c) Para Vasu, A Brahman, got rid of his Brahmahathi Dhosham. d) Sumathi got rid of Mahapathagam. e) Dhurasaran got rid of Samsarkka Bathaga Dhosham.
28.Deva Theertham:
Location: In front of Sri Rama Sannathi
significance: Indra made a yagam to win the Asuras
29. Kajan Theertham: Saravana Theertham Kumuthan Theertham Haran Theertham Panagan Theertham
Location: In front of Sri Rama Sannathi
significance: Relief from all sins
30.Vibeeshana Theertham:
Location: In front of Sri Rama Sannathi
significance: Relief from mental agony, all sins, poverty, and Dhushvapanam.
Pilgrims should take their own vessels and rope and draw water out of the Theerthams(mostly wells) in different parts of the temple. No water should be allowed to go into the wells after bath. The baths refresh both the mind and the body. The waters have medicinal properties besides that the mystic SANCTITY attached to each of them.The 31 Theerthams outside of the temple, extend from Devipatnam(Navapashanam) and Tirupullani (Darbhasayanam) near Ramnad to Mandapam. Pamban Thangachimadam and Rameshwaram though they are the treat traditional importance, many of them have not been properly maintained and so most of the pilgrims do not take the trouble of visiting these places. Several of them are also not easily accessible.

STRUCTURE OF RAMESHWARAM TEMPLE

Structure

World Famous Third Corridor:Outer Wing - East_West – 690 feetNorth-South -435 -feetInnerwing - East_West - 649 feetNorth-South - 395 feetTotal number of pillars – 1212Height of Corridor – 22 feet 7 ½ inch
Between 1897 and 1904, the ALAR family of Devakottai completed the imposing eastern tower of nine tiers 126 feet in height from Thiruppani funds. Between 1907 and 1925 they renovated the Sanctum Sanctorum and the prakaram(inner most corridor) by replacing the lime stones by black granite with adequate provision for lignt and ventilation and also arranged for the performance of Ashtabandana Kumbabishekam in 1925; then on 22-2-1947 and the third Ashtabandana Maha Kumbabishegam was performed on 5-2-1975.Second Corridor:During the construction of first corridor, it was decided to renovate the second corridor. The lime stone structure in Second corridor was dismantled and started granited stone work. But only compound wall in west side and one portion in north side of western wing in south gate was renovate. After that no Renovation work as done.Therefore, it was proposed to complete the Renovation work of Second Corridor by collecting Funds from the public. Between 1961 to 1985, the Renovation work of Second Corridor was taken up and completed the western side of Second Corridor and a portion in North and South side, from the Temple Renovation Fund. Now it has been proposed to complete the Renovation of Second Corridor which has been unfinished and the Renovation work is started now.The Sethupathy mandapam in front of the Temple’s Raja Gopuram9main Tower) was constructed by Ramanatha Sethupathy, a descendant of Ramnad Raja dynasty, with his own donation of Rs. 2,75,000 /-. This construction was started on 19-11-69 and completed on 11-2-74.It is also most essential to construct the North and South Gopurams. Shri Jagadguru Sringeri Peedathipathy and Shri jagadguru Kanchi Kamakoti Peedathipathy have given their kind blessings for the constructions of the North and South Gopurams of the Temple

PUJA TIMING IN RAMESHWARAM

Puja Timings
The temple remain open from 5 am to 1 pm and from 3 pm to 9 pm. The Elaborate pujas are offered six times daily.
Timings
Pujas ----------------------------------------------------5.00 am
Palliyarai (Sayanagruha) Deeparadhana --------------------5.10 am
Saptika linga Deeparadhana --------------------------------5.45 am
Thiruvananthal Deeparadhana -----------------------------7.00 am
Vila Puja ---------------------------------------------------10.00 am
Kaalasanthi Puja --------------------------------------------12.00 noon
Uchikala Puja ------------------------------------------------6.00 pm
Saayaraksha Puja -------------------------------------------8.30 pm
Ardhajaama Puja -------------------------------------------8.45 pm

RAMESHWARAM TEMPLE

To worship Lord Ramanatha or Ramalinga, the hallowed sand Linga made by Sita and installed by Sri Rama, pilgrims enter through the eastern gopuram. They offer prayers to Lord Anjaneya smeared with sindhoor. Then comes the Nandi Mandapa, which houses the flag staff and the Nandi. The stuccoed massive image of the bull is made of lime stone, measuring 17.5 feet high, 23 feet long and 12 feet wide. On either side of the Nandi, one finds interesting sculptural representations of the ocean gods Mahodathi and Ratnakara. The sanctum is flanked on either side by shrines of Vinayaka and Subramanya. Inside the sanctum, we worship Sri Ramanathaswamy. It is said this Linga contains marks of Hanuman’s tail, with which he tried to uproot it in a fit of anger. The Linga is decorated with silver kavacha. It is customary to offer abhisheka to the Lord with holy Ganga water.
In the front mandapa, there is a canopy, carved under which are images of Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, Hanuman with the two Lingas brought from Kailas, and Sugriva, appearing to be informing Rama about Hanuman’s return. In three other canopies in the front hall, we find exquisitely-carved figures of Hanuman, Gandhamadhana Linga and Agastya Linga.
Parvathavardhini
She is the consort of Lord Ramanatha and is enshrined separately to His right. There is a Sri Chakra installed inside. Special significance is attached to a Devi shrine situated on the right of the Lord’s shrine. In Madurai, too, the shrine of Meenakshi is situated to the right of Lord Sundareshwara. On Fridays, an especially decorated image of Parvathavardhini is taken round the temple corridor in a golden palanquin.
Vishwanatha & Visalakshi
To the north of Ramalinga shrine, Lord Vishwanatha or Vishwalinga has a separate shrine. This is one of the two Lingas brought from Kailas by Hanuman. As per tradition, pujas are first performed to Vishwalinga and then to Ramalinga. In the first inner corridor, Visalakshi, consort of Vishwanatha, is enshrined.
Sayanagruha (Palliyarai)
This is in the north-eastern corner of the corridor around the Visalakshi shrine. The gold image of the Lord is ceremoniously brought here every night from the main shrine and placed in the Oonjal (swing) by the side of the Devi’s golden idol. The Sayana puja and the early morning puja, when the Lord is taken back in a procession to the sanctum, are worth witnessing.
Jyothirlinga
In the first inner corridor, devotees offer worship to the venerated Spatika Linga, installed by Vibhishana. This Linga is the southernmost among the 12 famous Jyothirlingas in the country.
Sethumadava
There is a legend associated with this shrine. Once there ruled a Pandya king by name Punyanithi. As he had no issues, he along with his queen undertook a Sethu Theertha Yatra. Soon he found a baby girl in the palace garden and adopted her as his daughter. As years passed, the princess reached marriageable age. One day an old Brahmin from Kashi, holding Ganga water, appeared in the palace garden and sought her hand in marriage. The king got angry and ordered the old Brahmin to be kept chained in the temple corridor. That night the king had a dream in which he realized that the old man in chain was none other than Lord Vishnu with his daughter, Goddes Lakshmi, by his side. He fell at the Lord’s feet and sought forgiveness. He gave his daughter in marriage to Lord Vishnu at Rameswaram. He is known as Sethu Madhava or Shwetha Madhava (as his image is made of white marble). In Kashi, Lord Vishnu is worshipped as Bindu Madhava.
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RAMESHWARAM HISTORY

Sri Ramanathaswamy temple is situated close to the sea on the eastern side of the island, which is in the shape of a conch. The island is connected with the main land at Mandapam by an awe-inspiring rail bridge and a road bridge. In ancient days, the shrine was only a thatched hut. Over the centuries, the small shrine was gradually developed into what it stands today as a massive and magnificent structure.
Different dynasties were ruling the Ramanathapuram region in different periods. Pandya Kings were ruling up to the 15 century. Later, the region came under the reign of Nayaks of the Vijayanagar empire, who ruled till around the 1 7 century. Then the Sethupathis, who were the earliest chieftains of the region, came to power. They lavished their funds for art and architecture of the Rameswaram shrine. Notable among them were Udayan Sethupathy, Thirumalai Sethupathy, Raghunatha Sethupathy and Muthuramalinga Sethupathy, whose statues are housed in the temple.
Mythology
The temple of Lord Ramanathaswamy dates back to the period of Ramayana. The epic begins with the birth of the four princes in Ayodhya, but its subsequent scenes change in quick succession from the banks of the Sarayu River to this southernmost part of our land - the confluence of Mahodathi and Ratnakara. In Rameswaram, one can capture glimpses of scenes from Sundara Kaandam, the epic’s fifth canto, unfolding.Sri Rama, the Prince of Ayodhya, is an embodiment of love, virtue and Dharma. He undergoes a 14-year-long exile on the eve of his coronation to fulfill a promise of his father Dasharata. His wife Sita and his most caring brother Lakshmana accompany him to the forest. In his quest for Dharma, Rama vanquishes thousands of Rakshasas in the forests during the exile and brings peace and happiness among the Rishis and other inhabitants.
The exile passes off peacefully till the abduction of Sita by Ravana, the Asura king of Lanka, at Panchavati on the banks of Godavari. Rama is grief-stricken. He along with Lakshmana wanders through the forests in search of Sita. One day they meet Sugriva, an exiled monkey king from Kishkindha, and Hanuman, his minister, who vow to help Rama trace Sita. After regaining his kingdom, Sugriva dispatches search parties in all directions. Hanuman, Angada, Nala and others travel southwards and land on the Gandhamadhana Parvatha along the south-eastern coast. This is the present Rameswaram.
The famous Sundara Kaandam begins here with the unbelievable act of Hanuman taking Vishwa Roopam and leaping across the ocean from this hill to reach Lanka. After a frenzied search, Hanuman finally succeeds in locating Sita, held captive in Ravana’s Ashoka Vana. He hands over to Sita a ring from Rama as proof of his being Rama’s messenger. Assuring Sita that Rama will come soon, wage a battle against Ravana and end her agony, Hanuman takes leave of Sita after accepting with reverence her Choodamani (head ornament) as a token for Rama. Later Hanuman destroys Ashoka Vana and gets himself captured by Ravana’s son Indrajit. When Ravana orders setting fire to the tail of Hanuman, he sets the whole of Lanka ablaze with his burning tail.
Hanuman takes the air route back to Gandhamadhana Parvatha, where the search party has set up camp. They all rejoice the glad tidings. Soon they reach Kishkindha. Hanuman meets Rama and gives him the Choodamani with the news that Sita is safe. Rama is immensely pleased with Hanuman and embraces him warmly. Sugriva organizes a big retinue of monkeys and bears from all over the land to proceed on the mission to rescue Sita. Headed by Rama and Lakshmana, they traverse the eastern coast.
Following tradition, Rama first invokes Lord Vinayaka (Veyil Ugandha Vinayaka) at Uppoor seeking to remove obstacles on his mission. He offers puja to Navagrahas at the present Devipattinam or Navapaashaanam by installing nine stones in the sea. He then reaches a marshy land known as Dharbaaranyam (because the place was full of dharba grass). He worships Adi Jagannatha, the presiding deity, and receives Divya astras and the Lord’s blessings for his mission.
In a battle that follows, Rama, accompanied by Lakshmana and the Vanara Sena, vanquishes the ten- headed Ravana to the great relief of everyone. And, how all these happened within the time requested by Sita to rescue her is brought out beautifully by sage Valmiki in his epic. With the battle over, Rama, accompanied by Sita, Lakshmana and the army, returns to the shores of what is Rameswaram now.
Here, as advised by Rishis, Rama decides to consecrate a shrine for Shiva to wash off the Brahmahatti dosha - the sin of killing Ravana, a Brahmin and great grandson of Brahma. A time for the auspicious ceremony is fixed. Rama rushes Hanuman to Mount Kailas to fetch a Linga. As the auspicious time for the installation has neared, but since Hanuman has still not reached, Sita makes a Linga out of sand and the puja is performed within the stipulated time. It is consecrated as Ramalinga. Meanwhile, Hanuman returns from Shiva’s abode with two Lingas. He is disappointed that the ceremony is already over. In anger, he tries to uproot the sand Linga with his tail, but in vain. Rama pacifies Hanuman and installs a Linga brought by Hanuman from Kailas to the left of Ramalinga, and ordered that all pujas be first performed for this Linga, called Vishwalinga. This priority in puja is followed even today. Rama then performs abhisheka with holy water from the Ganga. He aims an arrow at a point to create a spring and takes the purifacatory bath. This is the much-revered Kodi Theertha, situated in the first corridor of the Rameswaram temple.
This holy Theertha and several other sacred waters, mostly in the form of wells within the temple precincts in Rameswaram thus have a special sanctity attached to them with the touch of Rama’s holy feet.
The people of Rameswaram consider it sacrilegious to plough the land or use heavy stone crushers to produce oil since Sita made Ramalinga out of earth.

ABOUT RAMESHWARAM

The holy island of Rameswaram is known for one of India’s most venerated and most visited Shiva shrines, dedicated to Sri Ramanathaswamy. It is so intimately associated with the life of Sri Rama, the hero of the epic Ramayana, that both Saivites and Vaishnavites consider every grain of Rameswaram’s sand very sacred.
There is a traditional belief among the Hindus that a pilgrimage to Kashi will be complete only after a visit to Rameswararn, also hailed as “Benaras of the South”. Pilgrims aspire for a holy dip in the sea at Dhanushkodi, revered as Sethu Theertha, where the Mahodathi (Bay of Bengal) meets Ratnakara (Indian Ocean). The sanctity and antiquity of Rameswaram is summed up in the old saying Aa Sethu Himachalam.
The merits of Sethu Yatra are described in the Vedas and in almost all the Puranas -- Agneya, Bhagavatha, Padma, Shiva and Skanda Puranas, to mention a few. Numerous literary works in Sanskrit and Tamil from the period of Valmiki Ramayana extol the significance of Sethu Yatra. The four Saivite saints Appar, Sundarar, Sambandar and Manickavasagar have sung in praise of Lord Rarnanathaswamy. Saint Thayumaanavar was a staunch devotee of Goddess Parvathavardhini.
Rameswaram is the abode of one of the 12 Jyothirlingas of India. It is also considered one among four most sacred pilgrim centers of India. They are Rameswaram in the South, Badrinath in the North, Puri in the East and Dwaraka in the West. Among these, Rameswaram is dedicated to Shiva, while the other three are dedicated to Vishnu.
Rameswaram is an acclaimed Parihara Sthala, where it is believed all sins get absolved. Devotees take holy dips at Sethu Theertha, Agni Theertha and other sacred waters, offer pujas to get progeny, perform Shraadha for their ancestors and do Naga Prathishta (installing serpent deity).

Saturday, October 4, 2008

Festivals in Thiruvannamalai

Details of Annual Festivals (urchavam) of the Temple
Slno
Tamil Month Festival Details
1. Chithirai (April - May) --------------------- Chitirai vasantha urchavam 10 days.
2. Vaikasi (May-June) --------------------- Vaikasi Urchavam 1 day.
3. Ani (June - July) --------------------- Ani Bramorchavam 10 days.
Ani Thirumanjanam.(Lord Nataraja Urchavam 1 day).
4. Adi (July - August) -------------------- Adi Pooram Bramorchavam 10 days.
5.Avani (August - Sept.) ---------------------- Avani Moolam Urchavam 1 day.
6. Puratasi (Sept. - Oct.) ---------------------- Navarathri Urchavam 9 days.
7. Aippasi (Oct. - Nov.) --------------------- Annabisheka Urchavam 1 day.
Kanda Sashti urchavam 6 days.
8. Karthigai (Nov. - Dec.) ---------------------- Karthigai Deepa Bramorchavam 17 days.
9. Margazhi (Dec. - Jan.) ---------------------- Vaikunda Ekadasi Urchavam 1 day.
Arudra Darisanam (Lord Nataraja Urchavam) 1 day.
10. Thai (Jan. - Feb.) ------------------------- Uthrayana Punyakala Bramorchavam 10 days. Thiruvoodal Urchavam 1 day.
Manalurpettai Theerthavari Urchavam 1 day.
Kalasapakkam (Rathasapthami)
Theerthavari Urchavam 1 day.
11. Masi (Feb. - March) ----------------------- Maha Sivarathri Urchavam
Masi Makam Pallikondpattu Theerthavari Urchavam.
12. Panguni (March - April) --------------- Panguni Uthiram Thirukalyana Urchavam 6 days.

Details of the Famous Karthigai Deepam Fesival
Sri Durgambal Urchavam Night Sri Durgambal on Kamadenu vahanam
Sri Pidari Urchavam Night Sri Pidariamman on Lion vahanam
Sri Vinayagar Urchavam Night Sri Vinayagar on Mooshiga vahanam
First day festival
Morning Panchamoorthis Silver Vimanam
Night Panchamoorthis, Mooshigam, Peacock, Adhikara Nandi, Hamsam small Rishaba Vaganam.
Second day festival
Morning Sri Vinayagar, Sri Chandrasekara vimanam Sun Crescent mount.
Night Panchamoorthis, Silver Indra vimanam etc.
Third day festival
Morning Sri Vinayagar, Sri Chandrasekarar vimanam, Naga vaganam
Night Panchamoorthis, Simha vaganam, Silver Anna vaganam etc.
Fourth day festival
Morning Sri Vinayagar, Sri Chandrasekarar vimanam, Naga vimanam
Night Panchamoorthis, Silver Karpagavritcham, Silver Kamadhenu vaganam and other silver vaganams.
Fifth day festival
Morning Sri Vinayagar, Sri Chandrasekarar, Mooshigam Mirror Rishaba Vaganam
Night Panchamoorthis, Silver Moohigam, Silver Peacock, Big Silver Rishaba Vaganam display
Sixth day festival
Morning Sri Vinayagar, Sri Chandrasekarar, Mooshigam, Silver Elephant, 63 Nayanmars vimanams.
Night Panchamoorthis Silver car, Indra vimanam and other Silver vimanams.
Seventh day festival
Morning
Panchamoorthis Maharahams between 5.30 a.m. and 7.00 a.m. in Viruchaga Lagnam Ratha Roganam Vadam.
Night
Panchamoorthis reach Asthana Mandapam from the car.
Eighth day festival
Morning
Sri Vinayagar, Sri Chandrasekarar, Silver vimanam
Night
Panchamoorthis, Horse vaganam etc.
Ninth day festival
Morning
Sri Vinayagar, Sri Chandrasekarar, Mirror Vimanam.
Night
Panchamoorthis, Kailasa vaganam, Kamadhenu vaganam etc.
Tenth day festival
Morning
Udayathpurvam 4’O Clock Barani Deepam
Day
Bramhatheertham Theerthavari
Evening
At 6 p.m. Panchamoorthis on golden vimanams, Jyothi Swarooba Maha Deepam.
Night
Panchamoorthis, Golden Rishaba Vaganam etc.
First day Theppal
Night
At 8 p.m. SriChandrasekara Thappal -- Sri Abithakusambal with Sri Arunachaleswarar Giripradhakshanam
Second day Theppal
Night
At 8 p.m. Sri Parasakthi Amman theppal
Third day Theppal
Night
At 8 p.m. Sri Subramaniar theppal
Sri Chandikeswarar Utsavam
Night
Sri Chandikeswarar Utsavam, Silver Vaganam.

Puranic history of Thiruvannamalai

Lingothbavar
The Creator Lord Bramha and Protector Lord Thirumal entered into a controversy among themselves so as to ascertain who was the greatest. Lord Siva was asked to be the judge. Lord Siva told them that whoever was able to see his crown as well as his feet would be termed as the greatest. Then Lord Siva transformed himself into a Jothi (a column of fire) touching the heaven and earth. Thirumal took the avatar of varaha (wild boar) and dug deep into the earth to find Siva's feet but at last accepted defeat. Bramha took the form of a swan and flew to see the crown of Siva. Unable to see the crown, Bramha saw a thazhambu flower which had decked Siva's crown falling down. He asked the flower as to the distance of Siva's crown whereby the flower replied that he had been falling for forty thousand years. Bramha, realizing that he would not be able to reach the crown asked the flower to act as a false witness.

The thazhambu flower acting as a false witness declared that Brahma had seen the crown. Siva became angry at the deception and cursed that Bramha should have no temple on earth and that the thazhambu flower should not be used while praying to Lord Siva. The place where Lord Siva stood as a column of fire to eliminate the ego is Thiruvannamalai.
The Annamalai Hill was Agni (fire) during Krithayugam, was Manikkam (Emerald) during Threthayugam, was pon (Gold) during Dwaprayugam and rock during Kaliyugam as per the ancient legends. On the request of Thirumal and Bramha by their devout prayer, Siva who was in the form of a fire column took the form of a Sivalingam at the foot of the hill hwere the Arulmigu Annamalaiyar Temple is located.

Arthanareeswarar
Lord Siva's wife Goddess Umadevi once playfully closed His eyes which plunged the world into darkness. All living beings suffered in the dark. To absolve herse of this sin Mother Umadevi created a Sivalingam out of sand and worshipped at Kancheepuram. At that instance, Lord Siva ordered her to proceed to Thiruvannamalai and do penance so that she could get half of His body. Likewise Mother Parvathi did penance at Pavalakundru with the help of Saint Gowthama. A demon called Makidasuran disturbed the penance of Mother Parvathi. The Mother took the form of goddess Durga Devi and destroyed him on the full moon day of the Tamil Month of Karthigai during the auspicious period of pradosham. Lord Siva presented himself in the form of Fire atop the hill and merged Goddess Parvathi on the left half of his body.
To commemorate this event, every year during the Tamil month of Karthigai in Kiruthigai Star, exactly at 6.00 p.m. Arthanareeswaramurthi presents himself as Jyothi Swaroopa to his devotees at the time of Karthigai Festival 10th day.
The following legends are also associated with this temple:
Appearance of Lord Muruga
Saint Arunagirinathar was the ardent devotee of Lord Muruga. Sambandan was a scholar in the king's court and had obtained many boons from goddess Kali. Afraid of Arunagirinathar's popularity, he proposed to the king a competition between him and Arunagirinathar, as to who could bring his chosen deity manifest in the form visible to everyone present.In the competition the devotion of Arunagirinathar brought the appearance of Lord Muruga through a stone pillar. Since then this has became one of the famous places of visit for the devotees of Lord Muruga.
Vallala Maharaja humiliated by Lord Siva
After completed the construction of this Gopuram King Ballala became proud of his achievement. In order to teach him a lesson, Lord Arunachaleswarar refused to leave the temple through the Vallala Gopuram during first 9 days of 10 day Special Festival. The King was distressed and prayed for his forgiveness. Only then, Lord Arunachaleswarar consented to pass through this gopuram on the 10th day of the festival. This is a lesson taught by Lord Siva about humility and greatness, not only to King Ballala but to everyone.
Arunagirinathar saved by Lord Muruga
In his earlier years Arunagirinathar climbed the Vallala Maharaja Gopuram and attempted to fall off. Lord Muruga appeared before him and saved his life. Since then Arunagirinathar became known as Gopurathilayanar.
Lord Arunachaleswarar himself performing the funeral rites of King Vallala
Arunachala Puram describes King Vallala as an embodiment of all human virtues. He was praised for his uprightness, generosity and love for Lord Arunachaleswarar.The King had no issues. Lord Siva tested him for his piety and became a child at the hands of king Vallala and his wife. King Vallala embraced the child in all his lovingness and later Lord Siva disappeared. When the king prayed for a child, Lord Siva assured him that would perform all his funeral rites as he himself became a child to the king.Even now in the month of Maasi (February) when the annual anniversary of King Vallala Deva's death occurs, at the instruction of Lord Arunachaleswarar, the Lord is taken in procession with great Ceremony to the village Pallikonda Pattu, where the funeral rites take place. This festival is known as 'Masi Maga Theerthavari' Urchavam.
YANAI THIRAI KONDA VINAYAGAR
Once a king from Andrapradesh after a battle captured the locality and allowed his troops to occupy the area. In the night the King had a dream that an elephant was charging his troops and making him to run away. When asked, he was informed that they stayed over a holy land which was protected by Lord vinayagar. Realising his mistake, the king donated his elephants and begged forgiveness.
Arunagirinathar's Life force entering into the body of a Parrot
The Vijayanagar King Pravda Deva Maharaya, once lost his vision and was blind. Sambandar, a confidant to the king advised him to get the flower Parijatham to regain his sight and suggested that Arunagirinathar could do the job. The king was convinced and asked Arunagirinathar to bring Parijatha flower.As the Parijatha flower is in heaven, Arunagirinathar moved his life force into the body of parrot, after keeping his own body in the gopuram. Even before his return with Parijatha flower his body was cremated. As he could not get his human form back, Arunagirinathar remained as parrot and composed great songs including Kandaranubuti.

Glory of the Thiruvannamalai

Thiruvannamalai - Annamalaiannal

The Saiva cult is a world phenomenon. Thiruvannamalai is the capital of Saivism. The South Indian deity Siva is the God of all countries. Annamalaiannal is the most sacred of the names of the manifestation of Lord Siva.

Saint poets
Saint poets Thirugnana Sambandar, Thirunavukkarasar, Sundarar and so on have visited Thiruvannamalai, prayed to the Lord and have composed divine poems. Saint Manickavasagar had lived at Thiruvannamalai for long period and had composed "Thiruvempavai - 20" and "Thiruvammanai". Even today there is a temple for Saint Manickavasagar on the Girivalam path at Adi-Annamalai.
Thirumurai Thalam
There are 275 sacred places (Lord Siva Temples) which were praised by the hymns of Thevaram and were called "Thirumurai Thalangal". Of these places twenty two are found in Nadu Naadu (a part of Tamil Nadu ). Thiruvannamalai is the most sacred of these twenty two.
Place of Salvation
SivaPuranam identifies four sacred places for obtaining salvation. Thiruvannamalai is one among them. The significance of this place is that by mere remembrance of Lord Arunachaleswarar at this place gives salvation to all souls (Ninaithale Mukthi Tharum Thiruthalam).

Pancha Bootha Sthalam

The earth is formed by five basic elements namely land, water, fire, air and ether. Our ancestors called them "Pancha Boothas" and associated them with five sacred places for worshipping Lord Siva. The center of these five elements fire is identified with Thiruvannamalai.
Athara Sthalam
Thiruvannamalai is the "Manipooraga Sthalam", which is one among six athara sthalams. Thiruvannamalai is so sacred that even Gods, and celestials offered their prayers. Tradition has it that Sun, Moon, Eight Vasus, Brahma, Vishnu and so on have worshipped here.
Saints and Scholars
Thiruvannamalai has been the abode of Siddhars. Idaikkattu Siddhar, one of the eighteen Siddhars, belongs to this sacred soil.
Mahan Seshadri Swamigal
Thiruvannamalai has the honour of providing an abode for saints such as Arunagirinathar, Vitpatchathevar, Gugai Namachivayar, Guru Namachivayar, Deivasigamani, Arunachala Desikar, Mahan Seshadri Swamigal, Bagawan Ramana Maharishi, Sri Yogi Ram Surathkumar and the like.
Bagawan Ramana Maharishi

Friday, October 3, 2008

The Significance of Girivalam

In most of the holy places the Deity is found atop the hill. But here the Holy hill itself is the Deity (Lord Annamalaiyar) and is worshipped. "Arunam" means sun and denotes the red colour of fire. "Asalam" means "Giri" or "malai" (mountain). Thus "Arunachalam" means the HOly hill which is rd in colour. The Holy hill is 2668 fi. high.
The Annamalai Hill was Agni (fire) during Kirthayugam, was Manikkam (Emerad) during Threthayugam, was Pon (Gold) during Dwaparayugam and rock during Kaliyugam.There are eight lingams located at the eight directions and provides an octagonal structure to Thiruvannamalai Town. The eight lingams are: Indra Lingam, Agni Lingam, Yama Lingam, Niruthi Lingam, Varuna Lingam, Vayu Lingam, Kubera Lingam and Esanya Lingam. The Adi Annamalai Temple glorified in Dhevaram is located on this path.
The circumambulation path is 14 kilometres. History has it that even today a number of siddhars are living on the hill. It is auspicious to perform "Girilvalam" during every Full moon day which would do immense good. It is because during Full Moon Day siddhars movement would be there and the whole atmosphere would be filled with perfumes of herbal plants. This will provide peace of mind and good health to body. It is a proven fact that on every Full moon day lakhs of devotees circumambulate the Hill and get all benefits by praying to Lord Annamalaiyar .
The circumambulation path has been provided with sodium lamps at the expense of 12 lakhs donated by cine artist Thiru Rajinikanth. This benefits pilgrims who perform circumambulation during night times. On behalf of Town administration bore well pumps are erected to supply drinking water to pilgrims. Moreover for the benefit of the devotees during special occasions annadhanam is performed by Sri Agasthiar Ashram,and so many donors. Milk is distributed by certain well wishers.

Tiruvannamalai temple structure

Raja Gopuram
The tower located on the eastern side between the sixth outer Prakaram and fifth Prakaram is the tallest of all the towers in this temple. This is known as Raja Gopuram. It stands in splendid dignity at the foot of Annamalai Hill over looking the town with its immense height and beauty. It is 217 feet in height with 11 storeys. It is the second tallest temple tower in South India.
The Raja Gopuram, built by Krishnadevaraya is lavish with the sculptured art of the period.
Kambathu Elayanar Sannathi
Slightly at inner left side of the Raja Gopuram entrance stands this magnificent Sannathi. This Sannathi consists seven steps which lead devotees to the inner chambers.
This Sannathi was built during the reign of Vijayanagara kings. It marks the actual spot where according to legend, Sambandan's boastful challenge to Arunagirinathar took place in front of Prabudadevaraya Maharaja and his court, where lord Muruga appeared.
The Sannathi was divided into four chambers. The first chamber consists very fine sculptures over the entrance leading to second chamber. The left and right side walls of this chamber carries pictures and devotional hymns of Arunagirinathar. Third chamber is the place for devotees to worship and the fourth chamber is the moolastanam, the inner shrine of Lord Muruga.
One Thousand Pillared Mandapam
Parallel to Kambathu Elayanar Sannathi and to the northern side of the fifth prakaram stands "One Thousand Pillared Mandapam". Every pillar of the Mandapam is engraved with beautiful figures and the roof with numerous stone Nandis. Thousand pillared Mandapam is used for the deities to be seated for ablutions and worship on Aani Thirumanjanam and on the day of the star Thirivaathirai. This Mandapam consits an underground chamber which houses Sri Pathala Lingam.

Sri Pathala Lingam

Descending stone steps from Thousand pillared Mandapam lead devotees to the shrine of Sri Pathala Lingam. The sculptured vimanam of this shrine is at the floor level of the mandapam. The stone Lingam found in this shrine stands there undisturbed several hundreds of years.
This was the shrine where Saint Ramana Maharishi used to meditate during his early days. The meditation was so deep and wonderful that he could not feel pain even though his body was covered with insects and was eaten by vermin. It was at this stage Mahan Sheshadri Swami noticed Ramana Maharishi and arranged assistance to him.
Sivagangai Vinayagar Sannathi


Close to Sivagangai Theertham stands Sivagangai Vinayagar Sannathi. This is situated at the rear side of Kambathur Elayanar Sannathi and opposite to Thousand Pillared Mandapam. The Vimanam of this shrine is colourful covered with a profusion of deities.

Arunagirinathar Mandapam

Arunagirinathar Mandapam consists a spacious Hall. The hymns of Arunagirinathar are engraved on marble stones of the walls. At the inner side of the Mandapam is a shrine for Lord Subramaniyar wherein Arunagirinathar is seen praying the Lord with folded hands. This is also known as Gopurathilayanar sannathi.

Kalyana Sundareswarar Sannathi
Kalyana Sundareswarar Sannathi stands at the southern side of the broad flight of stone stairs leading upwards to the majestic Vallala Maharaja Gopuram. This Sannathi houses a Lingam, Devi and Nandhi. In front of the Sannathi is a marriage hall where marriages of the devotees are performed.
Vallala Maharaja Gopuram

This is the direct entrance and exit between the Fifth and Fourth Prakarams.The Vallala Maharaja Gopuram was built by the Hoysala King Ballala between AD1318 and AD1343. Two stories are associated with this Gopuram one is Vallala Maharaja being humiliated by Lord Siva and the other one is Saint Arunagirinathar saved by Lord Muruga. The fame of this ardent devotee king Vallala Deva soars high as Lord Arunachaleswarar himself performs the King's funeral rites which are supposed to be done by King's son.

Tiruvannamalai information

Thousand Pillar Hall:

On entering the temple through the east tower the big structure one faces on the right is the thousand pillared hall. There are indications that it was built by Krishnadevaraya. The thousand pillared hall sports exactly 1000 pillars. the pillars are carved , with sculptures of Naik periods and some divine images. Sages, Vishnu's incarations too find a place with floral designs.


Siddhi Vinayagar:

The prime God Lord Ganesha also resides near the Sivaganga Theertha (tank) in the name of "Siddhi Vinayaga" and also called "Sivagangai Vinayagar".

Annamalai sthala has a special place in the history of our Culture and Religious life. The hill Annamalai has been responsible for the blossoming of several Saints and Ghanis. Many saints have attained liberation here.

A divine retreat for weary souls.

Temple is an externalized aspect of faith, and it is a place to restore peace and harmony. What great seers have visualized has been made outwardly real in a temple. This temple is safely edifice consecrated to the Lord of Light and other deities, built centuries ago at the foot of the hill to form the seat of worship. The main entrance to the sanctum sanctorum is in the eastern tower, the tallest structure in proportion to the other dimensions of this largest temple forming part of it. The tower rising heavenward is marvelously massive and magnificently majestic one with its imposing structural elegance and inviting architectural excellence and awes people at a distance.

Temple is the world's only social hope and the sole promise of peace and harmony; It purifies the society, and looks at the world with the intention of serving it, and strengthening society spiritually uniting people. The temple stands for the eternal, and the great glory of god where people praise the name of god and sing his glory. The temple offers you something you simply cannot get else where.


Daily Poojas at Temple
05.30 AM        Ushathkalam
08.00 AM        Kalasanthi
10.00 AM        Uchikalam
06.00 PM        Sayarakshai
08.00 PM        IrandamKalam
09.30 PM        Artha Jamam

Raja Gopuram :

There are six enclosures in the Temple :

The number of Gopurams are 9 in all. Of these, four are in the midst of the walls.

Raja gopuram is the name, by which the big tower in the east is called. It has 11 tiers, with a Width of 135 ft by 98 ft at the base. The Tanjore Big temple erected by the Chola monarch Raja Chola Soars 216 ft high. Just to compare and rival that height, one more foot has been added to the elevation of this temple making it 217 ft. And this tower provides the main entrance to the temple.

Ammani ammal gopuram, Thirumanjuna gopuram and pey Gopuram are the names of the north, south and west towers respectively.

As its name erroneously indicates. There is neither pey (ghost) nor devil in it. In olden times, Tamil scholars with literacy aspirations have named this tower as mel gopuram (western tower). But as years passed, this name got corrupted into pey gopuram!

The first and second enclosures with their enclosing walls are the oldest. The third enclosure were erected by Kulottunga as evidenced by the epigraphs in kili gopuram.

The fourth enclosure, the wall abutting it, the fifth enclosure, the thousand pillared hall the Big nandi, the sivaganga Tank, the wall enclosing huge structures and the tower, all belong to the 16th century.

Adi Annamalai Temple :

Adi Annamalai Temple is located in Girivalam path . This is the sacred place where saint poet Manickavasagar wrote Thiruvempavai. As enjoined, one should enter the temple by the Main Gate in front of the Sanctumsanctorum. Before entering the Eastern Gate we see the Sixteen-Pillared Mantapam and the Four-Pillared Mantapam. When we pass the Eastern Tower Gate we see the Gopura Ganapathi. This deity is held in high esteem and veneration by all devotees and the first worship to Him. We first come to the fifth prakaram and see before us the Kambathilayanar Sannidhi and Gnanappai Mantapam. Here it was that God Muruga appeared in a Pillar for the sake of the King Prabudadevaraya as prayed for by saint Arunagirinathar in response to his famouns song "Athalasadanarada". To the south there is the sacred tank called Sivaganga Theertham. It has stonesteps and Thirumalapathi Mantapam on all four sides